"Right now, only Great Uncle can detoxify the poison in your body, so can you bear with it for a few days for my sake, darling?" Freya pleaded.

This endearing term melted Bradley's heart.

He glanced at her, cupping the back of her head, and leaned down to kiss her deeply.

"Okay, I'll listen to my wife." he murmured.

His tender words stirred up a whirlwind of emotions in her heart.

His warm breath entangled her emotions, gradually causing her to surrender to him, bit by bit.

His domineering kiss, both tender and a hint of stubbornness, swept over her mouth, sending shivers down her spine.

The atmosphere gradually heated up.

Bradley's affection surged fiercely as he carried her towards the wooden bed. He pressed her into his embrace, kissing her passionately.

Suddenly, a cough interrupted their moment of passion.

Bradley turned to look outside, and there stood Hayden Barnes, glaring at him with disapproval.

Freya blushed furiously, feeling embarrassed by her great uncle's untimely intrusion.

She chuckled awkwardly. "Great Uncle, why didn't you knock before coming in?"

"Why do you need to knock in your own home?" he retorted, unfazed, as he walked in, fanning himself with a hand fan, and sat directly opposite the two.

This made the two of them, who had been embracing, extremely awkward.

Freya gently pushed Bradley away, but he looked sullen, wearing an expression of dissatisfaction.

She wanted to soothe him, but with Hayden Barnes's piercing gaze fixed on them, she found it impossible to speak her mind.

"Sue, the things I told you are worth considering. Young people should focus on their careers. Being too indulged in love and romance will only lead to a loss of ambition. Our family values etiquette, so starting tonight, you two will sleep in separate rooms." Hayden Barnes declared.

"Why? She's my wife. There's no reason we can't sleep together." Bradley retorted, his gaze narrowed, a chilling aura emanating from his entire being.

"Because this is my house, and I make the rules!" Hayden Barnes snapped, his temper flaring. "If you want me to accept you, you'll have to impress me with your actions and sincerity. Prove to me that you're better than Xavier, and I'll consider marrying Sue to you. But if you can't pass my test, you won't be able to marry my sister."

And so, a war without gunpowder began.

Freya watched as the two men faced off against each other, feeling desperate and breaking out in a cold sweat.

Hayden Barnes had his own quirks, and Bradley had his. With both men being stubborn, they clashed, leaving her unable to intervene.

Just as the situation was about to escalate into violence, Freya preempted the conflict with her words, "Alright, I'll abide by your rules. During our stay here, I'll sleep separately from Bradley. But you must promise me in return—to develop an antidote for his condition."

She carefully considered her strategy, viewing it as a test for both her and Bradley's relationship—a crucible to strengthen their bond. Forged in the fire of adversity, their love would emerge stronger, paving the way for a future together.

For a brief moment, Hayden Barnes's departure brought relief. The air seemed lighter as he left, and Freya breathed a sigh of relief.

"So it's settled then." he declared, "You... will stay next door to me. It'll be convenient for me to observe your condition. Until I agree otherwise, you two aren't allowed to sleep together, no cuddling, no kissing. Remember, there's also Sen and Jackson in the house. You two better behave yourselves." With that, Hayden Barnes left.

Only two people remained in the room.

Bradley's expression was grim, and he impatiently tugged at his collar.

As Freya moved to comfort him, Hayden Barnes's voice rang out as a reminder, "Remember, no hugging!"

Freya awkwardly retracted her hand, her attempt at a comforting embrace thwarted. She smiled awkwardly and said, "Brother, rest assured, we will abide by the family rules and won't overstep any boundaries."

With those words, Hayden Barnes left.

A faint smile flashed across his shrewd eyes as he sauntered away, fan in hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

Freya stood by the window, watching him go, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Darling, I'll have to inconvenience you for these few days."

Bradley remained silent, his face as dark as the stormy sea, his expression one of reluctant resignation.

Freya knew she was imposing on him, but for the sake of his health, she had no other choice.

"When you're better, I... will allow you to bully me."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she spoke, her heart racing at the prospect of their future together.

In an instant, Bradley's demeanour shifted from despondent to intense desire.

"Are you sure?"

Freya lowered her gaze, biting her lip. "If you want children, I... will bear them for you."

If they could weather this storm, there would be no hesitation for her. She had made her choice—she belonged to him for life.

Overcome with emotion, Bradley embraced her tightly, his hand gripping her chin as he leaned in for a kiss.

Freya, mindful of Hayden Barnes's warning, gently pushed him away. "Be good, listen to me. Great Uncle is watching us."

Before Hayden Barnes's voice could interrupt them again, they released each other.

Freya bit her lip, steeling herself. "Darling, you should leave now. Goodnight."

With those words, she planted a tender kiss on his lips, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Bradley, his heart heavy with longing, was reluctant to leave. Yet, Freya gently pushed him out of the room.

Frustrated and dejected, Bradley sought solace in the company of Xavier.

Meanwhile, Xavier and Sean were enjoying a quiet moment outside, sipping wine and chatting.

Upon seeing Bradley's ominous approach, Sean sensed trouble and promptly excused himself.

Xavier, taken aback by Bradley's intensity, was about to speak when he felt a firm grip on his collar. Before he could react, a powerful blow struck his chest, sending him stumbling backward.

Struggling to regain his balance, Xavier looked up at Bradley with a mixture of confusion and innocence. "Bradley, what are you doing?"

Bradley's face was dark and foreboding, his eyes filled with hostility.

He strode forward, grabbed him, and delivered another punch to his face. There was blood on the edge of Xavier's lips.

Xavier initially thought Bradley was having a mental breakdown, but seeing no signs of it in his eyes, he was left bewildered by the sudden attack.

"Are you crazy? I'm your friend. Why are you resorting to violence for no reason?" Xavier protested, his confusion evident.

Bradley's demeanour was cold and threatening, his clenched fists revealing the tension in his body. "You still remember that you're my brother? Then who gave you the audacity to covet my woman?"

Xavier was stunned.

What did he mean by "coveting his woman"?

Even if he had ten times the courage, he couldn't do such a thing.

"Hayden Barnes respects you so much, yet he's still trying to matchmake you with Freya. Are you saying you have no feelings for her?" Bradley's accusation hit Xavier like a bolt of lightning.

Finally understanding Bradley's misconceptions, Xavier realized that this man saw him as a rival in love.